Limited the Guest List to 150 guest

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Permalink Reply by Crystal Unrau on July 7, 2010 at 4:21pm

Some people believe it's best to let single guests "bring a date" so they will be more comfortable but it's not required. If you only have one or two single friends, then you probably want to let them bring a date so they won't be the odd one out. But - if you have quite a few single guests, just plan your seating accordingly so that single guests can mix and mingle easily.

The only time you are required to let an invited guest bring a date is if they are married (generally common law should be included in this category) or engaged - and in some cases, if they are in a committed, long term relationship with someone.. In those instances, the guests should be allowed to bring their spouse/partner.

Crystal
http://budgetdreamweddings.com

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Permalink Reply by Claudia Forward on July 13, 2010 at 11:02am

I agree with Crystal.
Something also to consider is the change in the style of wedding when you take the guests from 150 to 250. It becomes less of an intimate wedding, and also changes your venue options.

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Permalink Reply by Jacquie Anderson on July 14, 2010 at 8:45am

I'm going through something similar but in regards to family bringing dates....my cousins are 18-20 years old and aren't in committed relationships. I don't want one of them to just bring their most recent flavor of the week, but they're expecting to be able to. I'm not really sure how to address it, especially because my mother-in-law to be is expecting me to allow her nephews to bring dates, and she only has 20 people on her list including the +1's.... so how can I say no to that when my mom's list is almost 3 times the size? It's so tricky

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Permalink Reply by Kesha Knighten Hughes on October 26, 2010 at 10:26am

Considering your family and guests is very important, however expanding the guest count and budget of your wedding is where you have to draw lines. Your cousins are young, and are not in committed relationships, so they can all sit together. It is not breaking any etiquette by not extending an invite to their current "flavor". You will however need to discuss with your mother how you will draw the line ACROSS THE BOARD.

If your mother is footing the bill, well... a bit more wiggle room would be understood, however consistency across the board in guest selection will make things easier.

In the end you have to make a decision based on what is best for you and the overall wedding, not 1 or 2 people. If they love you, they'll cooperate.


Kesha Knighten Hughes
www.papillonevents.com

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Permalink Reply by Lydia C on July 15, 2010 at 11:25am

I think its perfectly fine to let your guests know if they can bring a guest. I am going to a wedding next month where my friend told me that only I would be able to go due to space constraints. She also explained to me that her mother was inviting 80 people, so I totally understood why!

Lydia
Engagement Story

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Permalink Reply by D.I.Y.va Designs, LLC on July 21, 2010 at 10:07am

Most people do not feel comfortable attending a wedding alone, so you may want to simply cut back your core list. :)

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Permalink Reply by Bride to Bridesmaids on July 21, 2010 at 10:36am

It is proper to invite your guest, their spouse, signifiant other, children or a plus one. If you don't mind breaking etiquette then you can be very strategic in your invitation strategy.

Number one, if you are inviting a bunch of your girlfriends that are all friends invite them as solo and seat them all together. The outside invitation should read "Miss So Andso, her address". The inside envelope should Read "So" This will let the recipient know that only they are invited and to RSVP for one. The same can go for a group of guys that are all friends. Just make sure you seat all solos together so they don't feel like the third wheel.

Number two, you can always make your wedding an adult only event. That would inform your guests that children are not invited. The outside envelope invitation should read, "Mr. and Mrs. Bob Anso, address". Inside should read, "Bob and Sue" This will signify only they are invited.

Number three, unless your bridesmaids are in a committed relationship ask them to not invite a guest. It is awkward for that date if you have a big head table and they end up sitting by themselves. Your bridesmaids are there for you and they will understand.

I hope that helps.

http://bridetobridesmaid.blogspot.com

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Permalink Reply by Lydia C on July 21, 2010 at 1:30pm

I completely agree with Bride to Bridesmaids. Just address them directly in the invitation to avoid any misunderstanding. They are your friends and family, they will understand.

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Permalink Reply by Bride to Bridesmaids on July 21, 2010 at 2:40pm

Very well put Lydia.

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Permalink Reply by Kesha Knighten Hughes on October 26, 2010 at 10:32am

I also agree with Crystal. Please make sure that guests who do not know many people are coming with a "plus one" so that they can feel comfortable sitting with a table filled with people they may not know.

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